Russian lab worker dies as plague fears spread across Siberia
A 28-year-old researcher died of pneumonia of unknown cause, possibly pneumonic plague, prompting mass observation of 200 contacts.
A lab worker in Siberia has died from pneumonia of unknown cause. Local reports suggest pneumonic plague exposure.
Daria Shipilova worked at an anti-plague research institute in the Irkutsk region. The institute is near the Mongolian border.
Almost 200 people who had contact with her are now under medical observation. Five hospitals and a college have been placed under lockdown.
Russian authorities have not confirmed the cause of death. Conflicting reports suggest Shipilova either broke a test tube containing a pathogen at her institute or was infected during a hike.
Pneumonic plague is the most dangerous form of plague. It is the only form that spreads directly from person to person through respiratory droplets.
It is capable of triggering severe epidemics.
- 28 years old
- Lab worker age
- Almost 200
- Contacts under observation
- 5 hospitals and 1 college
- Facilities locked down
- Respiratory droplets person-to-person
- Transmission method
Why it mattersPneumonic plague can cause severe epidemics and spread person-to-person. Limited information from Russian authorities has prompted concern from the US State Department and international health officials.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but Australia's health authorities are monitoring the situation as part of global surveillance networks.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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